Patentable/Patents/US-11287762
US-11287762

Image forming apparatus and image forming method

PublishedMarch 29, 2022
Assigneenot available in USPTO data we have
Inventorsnot available in USPTO data we have
Technical Abstract

Downtime relating to formation and detection of a detection image is reduced. An image forming apparatus includes a controller configured to calculate a first conversion unit to convert a gradation of input image data so that density output for the input image data becomes a first density output characteristic based on a first detection result of the detection image detected by a density sensor in a first mode. The controller generates a second conversion unit to convert the gradation of the input image data so that the density output for the input image data becomes a second density output characteristic in a second mode based on the detection result in the first mode and correction information, and further updates the correction information based on a second detection result of the detection image detected by the density sensor in the second mode and the first detection result.

Patent Claims
3 claims

Legal claims defining the scope of protection. Each claim is shown in both the original legal language and a plain English translation.

Claim 1

Original Legal Text

1. An image forming apparatus, comprising: a photosensitive drum; a developing roller configured to develop an electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum with toner to form a toner image; a belt onto which the toner image formed on the photosensitive drum is to be transferred or on which a recording material, onto which the toner image is to be transferred, is borne; a detector configured to emit light to a detection image formed on the belt and receive reflected light from the detection image; an exposure unit configured to form an electrostatic image on the photosensitive drum by exposing a surface of the photosensitive drum at a predetermined exposure amount and by forming a light-part potential from a dark-part potential on the photosensitive drum; a high-voltage power supply configured to apply a developing voltage to the developing roller; and a controller configured to perform a first detection image actual measurement for obtaining a first characteristic indicating a relationship between input image data in a first mode and a density corresponding to the input image data based on a detection result of the reflected light by the detector in the first mode in which a first development contrast is formed between the developing voltage applied to the developing roller and the light-part potential formed on the photosensitive drum, wherein the detector is configured to emit the light to the detection image formed on the belt and receive the reflected light from the detection image in a second mode in which a second development contrast is formed between the developing voltage applied to the developing roller and the light-part potential formed on the photosensitive drum and is greater than the first development contrast, and in which image formation is performed with a color gamut different from a color gamut in the first mode, and wherein the controller is configured to perform a second detection image actual measurement for obtaining a second characteristic indicating a relationship between the input image data in the second mode and the density corresponding to the input image data based on the detection result of the reflected light.

Plain English Translation

An image forming apparatus includes a photosensitive drum, a developing roller, a belt, a detector, an exposure unit, a high-voltage power supply, and a controller. The apparatus forms toner images on the photosensitive drum and transfers them onto a belt or a recording material. The detector emits light to a detection image on the belt and measures reflected light to assess image density. The exposure unit creates an electrostatic image on the photosensitive drum by exposing its surface to form a light-part potential from a dark-part potential. The high-voltage power supply applies a developing voltage to the developing roller. The controller performs a first detection image measurement in a first mode, where a first development contrast exists between the developing voltage and the light-part potential. This measurement determines a relationship between input image data and corresponding density based on the detector's reflected light readings. The detector also operates in a second mode, where a second development contrast, greater than the first, is established between the developing voltage and the light-part potential. In this mode, image formation uses a different color gamut than in the first mode. The controller conducts a second detection image measurement to obtain a similar relationship between input image data and density for the second mode. This dual-mode operation allows the apparatus to adjust image quality and color accuracy across different printing conditions.

Claim 2

Original Legal Text

2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising a designation unit configured to designate whether the second detection image actual measurement is to be performed, wherein in a case in which the designation unit designates to perform the second detection image actual measurement, the controller is configured to perform the second detection image actual measurement.

Plain English Translation

An image forming apparatus includes a controller that performs a first detection image actual measurement to detect a positional deviation of an image formed on a transfer belt. The apparatus also includes a second detection image actual measurement to detect a positional deviation of an image formed on a recording medium. The controller adjusts image formation based on the detected deviations. The apparatus further includes a designation unit that allows a user to select whether the second detection image actual measurement should be performed. When the user designates that the second detection image actual measurement is to be performed, the controller executes this measurement to refine image positioning accuracy. The designation unit provides flexibility, enabling the user to enable or disable the second measurement based on specific operational needs, such as when higher precision is required or when time constraints limit the use of additional measurements. This ensures efficient and accurate image formation while allowing customization of the calibration process.

Claim 3

Original Legal Text

3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the controller is configured to predict the second characteristic based on the detection result of the reflected light by the detector in the first mode and the detection result of the reflected light by the detector in the second mode.

Plain English Translation

An image forming apparatus includes a controller that predicts a second characteristic of a print job based on detection results from a detector operating in two different modes. The apparatus forms images on a recording medium using an image forming unit, which may include components like a photoconductor, developer, transfer unit, and fixing unit. The detector measures reflected light from the recording medium to assess image quality. In a first mode, the detector operates with a first set of parameters, such as light intensity or wavelength, to capture initial data. In a second mode, the detector uses different parameters to gather additional data. The controller analyzes both sets of detection results to predict the second characteristic, which could relate to image density, color accuracy, or registration. This prediction helps adjust printing parameters in real-time to improve output quality. The apparatus may also include a transport mechanism to move the recording medium through the image forming unit and detector. The controller's predictive capability enhances accuracy by leveraging multi-mode detection, ensuring consistent print quality.

Classification Codes (CPC)

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Patent Metadata

Filing Date

March 11, 2021

Publication Date

March 29, 2022

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Image forming apparatus and image forming method